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Petition update

This is just getting started

Zachary Taylor

Mountain View, CA, United States

Sep 10, 2017 — To everyone that signed,

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is: The University has dug in its heals, releasing a statement (attached) that compares these allegations to the UVA rape hoax published in Rolling Stone. As those of you who have read the Mother Jones article and are familiar with the UVA incident are undoubtedly aware, these incidents have nothing in common. The Rolling Stone cases featured an anonymous accuser and had no corroboration. This case involves a systematic pattern of behavior supported by dozens of witnesses. The key witnesses and survivors are not anonymous, and have put their reputations on the line. By invoking a hoax with little resemblance to this case, President Seligman has insulted rape and abuse survivors everywhere, as well as the entire UR community. This statement is repugnant.

So, what's the good news? The good news is that the UR community's response has been overwhelming. The comments on the school's most recent Facebook post are essentially unanimous condemnation. (I've screenshotted them in case the school deletes the post, since it apparently removed the EEOC report from the Rochester website.) Several groups of students and alumni have begun independently organizing. If you are active on Facebook and interested in participating in a protest, you should visit the following page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1101880703300659/permalink/1102744879880908

It is important that we refuse to allow pressure on the school to fade with the media cycle. You have many options, ranging from social media to contacting the alumni association. (https://www.rochester.edu/alumni/contact-us)

I promise only to send future updates when major changes have occurred, in order to spare inbox clutter. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this, to sign the petition, and to share it.

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